We sat across from each other at one of the tavern’s wooden tables.
Ayara and I on one side.
Juliet and Timi on the other.
I glanced at Timi.
He was biting the inside of his cheek, clearly trying not to burst into laughter.
Then I looked at Ayara.
She was smiling proudly, like she had just won something.
Then I looked at Juliet.
Her arms were folded.
She was slowly shaking her head at me.
I cleared my throat.
“It’s not what it looks like.”
“It is what it looks like,” Ayara cut in immediately.
“We just came out for a stroll,” I added quickly. “She wanted to show me around. We ended up here.”
“He’s my boyfriend now,” Ayara said again, grabbing my arm tightly.
I pushed her hands off.
“I am not your boyfriend,” I snapped.
Right on cue, Bhaim the busboy appeared with two large
